The Detroit Red Wings are in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with 61 points at the Four Nations Faceoff break. Dylan Larkin will represent Team USA, and Lucas Raymond will represent Team Sweden at the upcoming tournament. This is thanks to the team playing well under new head coach Todd McLellan. The Red Wings front office let go of former head coach Derek Lalonde during his third season as head coach of the team. The Red Wings have a record of 15-5-1 under McLellan.
Much was made during the broadcast of just how long it had been since NHL players played in a best-on-best tournament. Raymond was 13 years old at this time. In his debut on the international stage, Raymond had two assists in the opening game of the Four Nations Faceoff against Canada. This was somewhat of a shocking result as Canada defeated Sweden in overtime by a score of 4-3.
Larkin saw this and wanted to prove that he can play at this level as well. With 13:13 left in the second period, Larkin scored what would be the game-winning goal against Canada. This was the USA’s first win against Canada since 2010. Larkin was 18 years old at the time and playing for Belle Tire’s 14U AAA team. NHL players will return to the Olympics in 2026 in Milano Cortina, Italy.
The atmosphere leading up to the Canada vs USA game was charged. “That was one of the best experiences of my life,” Larkin, 28, said. “Just an unbelievable hockey game. The Tkachuk brothers and Millsy, what a start, and credit to those guys for answering the bell. And the crowd, just a great night for our sport and a great night for this rivalry. So can’t wait to get back to Boston and get on home soil.” Larkin also had an assist in the game.
This game-winning goal meant that the United States will advance to the finals of the Four Nations no matter the results of their game against Sweden. It would be special for these two teams to have a rematch on Thursday night.
With only four teams in the tournament, The Four Nations Faceoff allows for the talent pool to be drawn into focus. This was on display as Canada scored 12 seconds into a power play that came less than one minute into the game. The line that scored the goal for Canada was comprised of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Nathan Mackinnon. Beyond being three of the best players in the NHL, these three all hail from the same area of Canada with Crosby and Mackinnon being from Nova Scotia. Crosby was questionable to play in this game leading up to the night due to injury.
Raymond and Larkin play on the first line of the Red Wings alongside Alex DeBrincat. While these two players are talented, Larkin is talented enough to be named to Team USA at the Four Nations, and Raymond’s linemates at this tournament are talented as well. Prior to the beginning of the tournament, Raymond was penciled in on a line with Joel Eriksson Ek of the Minnesota Wild and Jesper Bratt of the New Jersey Devils.
Raymond was drafted by the Red Wings with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft out of Gothenburg, Sweden. Prior to being drafted, Raymond played for Frölunda HC of the DEL. At the time of the draft, I wrote that Frölunda was turning into a feeder system for the Red Wings. From 2019 to 2022, the Red Wings drafted six players out of Frölunda HC. Raymond and defenseman Simon Edvinsson have played a huge role in the Red Wings’ turnaround under McLellan. The two Red Wings raising their profile on an international stage can only be a good thing for Raymond and Larkin moving forward.
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